Chihuahua Rescue

Nonprofit Issues:

Animals

Address:

8913 W Olympic Blvd #205Beverly HillsCA90211USA

Mission:

The mission of Chihuahua Rescue is house, feed and care for the Chihuahuas that come in to us, rehabilitate them if needed, provide medical care if needed, then adopt them out to loving families giving them permanent wonderful homes. Those that are not adoptable due to either health or behavioral problems are kept at the shelter indefinitely or until they can find that special home. We have a "no kill" policy.

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Reviews for Chihuahua Rescue

ANIMAL 'RESCUER' CONTINUES TO DOG COUNTY SUPS...by James Burger
James Burger is a top notch writer for the Bakersfield Californian who continues to keep animal hoarders in the news in Bakersfield. For that, animal lovers THANK JAMES BURGER! Here is Mr. Burger's latest article...
Animal "rescuer" continues to dog county supes
BY JAMES BURGER, Californian staff writer
jburger@bakersfield.com | Sunday, Jan 03 2010 02:17 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Jan 03 2010 02:18 PM

Peck's current home on Bear Valley Road has a bad history.

In July 2008, Kern County Animal Control officers found accused animal abuser Cynthia Gudger living in the warehouse on the property with a menagerie of starving cats and dogs.

The building was piled with trash, feces and animal corpses.

Peck's accountant, Susan Marlowe, had allowed Gudger to live there under the alias Anita Gilbert and had helped Gudger get control of animals that had been seized from her in Hemet by Riverside County Department of Animal Services officers when she was living under the name Barbara Ryan.

Gudger fled animal abuse charges after making bail in Kern County but was recaptured, returned to court and was ruled incompetent to stand trial before being placed in a mental health facility in April.

Peck moved into the home in June.
Tehachapi animal rescuer Kimi Peck will face a $5,000 fine and a $500-a-day penalty when she is called on the carpet before the Kern County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

She should be on familiar ground.

Peck was fined $5,000 in July for exactly the same offense she faces Tuesday -- running a kennel without a permit on land zoned for agriculture.

She currently keeps around 170 dogs -- mostly chihuahuas -- in a home she rents from her Beverly Hills accountant, Susan Marlowe, on Bear Valley Road west of Tehachapi.

That home sits just a six-mile drive from the multi-level house on Water Canyon Road where Peck had kept the dogs until June 23.

Peck moved from Water Canyon to Bear Valley Road just hours before a two month deadline to get the animals off the property or earn a conditional use permit to operate a kennel there expired.

If Peck hadn't moved, she would have faced a $500-a-day fine for more than 60 days of delay.

But county reports state that, within three days of Peck's move to Bear Valley Road, county code compliance officers confirmed she needed a conditional use permit to shelter her animals there as well.

The code enforcement process against Peck began all over again.

County Engineering and Survey Services Director Chuck Lackey and then-Planning Director Ted James met with Peck in July and ordered her to get a conditional use permit.

She asked them for more time to deal with the problem -- at the same time she promised Kern County Animal Control Director Guy Shaw she would be moving out of Kern County with her dogs.

"She had told me she's moving out of the county," Shaw said at the time. "She told me that she bought a piece of property but escrow won't close until August."

But in late August, according to an Engineering and Survey Services report, an attorney representing Peck wrote to the county arguing that Peck was not in violation of any law.

County officials wrote back, outlining the tax filings and evidence from various rescue websites maintained by Peck, that show she is operating either a kennel or an animal shelter on her property -- both of which are a violation of land use law in the county's opinion.

That was the same evidence that convinced supervisors to fine Peck in June for violations on Water Canyon Road.

County officials told Peck's attorney she must apply for a conditional use permit by Oct. 1 or face further penalties.

Peck did not apply for the permit.

So county officials started the process of bringing the violations to supervisors.

While that process was going on, Peck got in more trouble.

Peck has argued, in the past, that she is simply an animal owner with a large number of dogs -- an argument that, if true, would eliminate the need for a conditional use permit.

County officials don't buy her argument.

But if it is true, then Peck is required to license every one of her dogs.

She has, according to Shaw, failed to meet that requirement.

In December, Peck was charged in Mojave court with nine counts of failing to license her dogs.

In the meantime, Peck's accountant and the owner of the Bear Valley Road property, Marlowe, has filed for bankruptcy, county officials report.

On Tuesday at 2 p.m. the whole mess will come before supervisors.

The engineering department is asking for the same fine they requested from supervisors in March and April -- a $5,000 fine and a $500 a day penalty until Peck seeks a conditional use permit or moves. This time the penalties are also aimed at Peck's accountant as well.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I am a victim of Pecks. Peck moves in to your neighborhood with hundreds of animals mostly dogs and it takes 4 years to get the board of supervisors in your County to do their job and get the illegal kennel shut down. The smell and mess is constant so is the harassment she poses in your life if you oppose her; the mess is still there and shes been gone now for at least 3 years. The house stands in ruins , the house was a beautiful 3200 sq ft with a ball room and pool, on 23 acres its now a shell of filth left behind . I can never own a dog again trauma of the years of 24/7 barking ex neighbor

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

The 'rescuer', KIMI PECK, who runs this illegal operation continues to operate it illegally and 200 plus dogs continue to live their lives in pens/cages 24/7 never having a chance to get out, unless the LAW STOPS HER. Kimi Peck continues to dupe unsuspecting people into believing she runs a legit agency. She has a criminal record in Los Angeles Courts stemming from her 'rescuing' and now she has one in Kern County. Reputable rescuers NEVER have issues with the law, community. Kimi Peck has had issues stemming from her illegal activities for at least 12 years. Kern County filed charges against Peck just a few days ago (December 2, 2009). Do you want to believe Kimi Peck LIES or do you want to believe her documented ACTIONS. Here is some more of her action that she does not want the public to see:
001 M PC 597F PERMIT ANIMAL TO GO W/O CARE
002 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
003 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
004 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
005 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
006 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
007 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
008 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
009 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
010 M CO 7.08.030(E) FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON LICENSE
011 M PC 853.7 FAIL TO APPEAR AFTER WRITTEN PROMISE

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

In addition to Ms. Peck's many charges and convictions from her Burbank days as a 'rescuer', presently in Tehachapi, her former neighbors were fed up with Kimi Peck's rescuing. In addition to Ms. Peck acquiring over $5,000.00 in fines for being a nuisance and operating an illegal kennel, 23 of her neighbors got together and wrote a long letter to Kern County officials with what they have had to endure. Ms. Peck has since moved to yet another property and she continues to operate without a license and continues to collect donations. Is this fair to the hundreds of animals she claims to be caring for and collecting donations on? Ms. Peck's words are nothing but excuses. Her actions are nothing but dispicable. Read what 23 of her former neighbors claimed:
1. The barking of up to hundreds of dogs, day and night, for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
2. Disturbing sounds of yelping dogs in apparent distress, often accompanied by other sounds of banging, thumping and human yelling.
3. Disturbing sounds of uncontrolled dog fights.
4. Strong and offensive smell of urine and feces.
5. The smell of dead animals.
6. An annoying increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic going to and from the Peck residence at both the front gate (off Pine Tree Mine Road) and the back gate (off Sunny Hill Lane) at all hours of the day or night.
7. Clumps of dog hair and other debris blown from Ms. Peck’s property onto nearby properties.
8. Unusual infestations of flies and mosquitoes.
9. Occasional small arms gun shots coming from Ms. Peck’s property.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

A great rescue organization saving more dogs than any other rescue I know. They kept 175 chihuahuas from being needlessly euthanized by a county shelter near Los Angeles and continues to be active in saving dogs.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

give them more money.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

its undying commitment to saving animals.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

mostly caring and helpful. However, there was a few that seemed to have mental problems and have become a detriment to the rescue effort. They have become obsessed with Kimi Peck, the celebrity and post many false things regarding her rescue.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

The sky is the limit. They have done a tremendous amount of good with much less money. It would definitely mean a wonderful life for many forgotten dogs.

Ways to make it better...

If the Kimi Peck stalkers would find some other obsession. It is unfortunate there are negative, evil people out there.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Ex-volunteer, stalkers.

One thing I'd also say is that...

Don't listen to the trash the "stalkers" post. They are sad people with no lives of their own. If they really cared about dogs they would be out saving them - not harassing rescues that do save dogs.

How frequently have you been involved with the organization?

About every week

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I was a volunteer there and saw the animals neglected day after day. I was just one of a handful of volunteers who spent hours trying to make the dogs' lives livable, but Kimi made it impossible.
Dogs were left in kennel runs, cages or pens, day after day.
I did my best to give attention, but with over 200 dogs in her Burbank facility it was impossible.
Some dogs never got out, not even held, not taken outside to sit on someone's lap, to get fresh air. Kimi would make up "reasons" heart condition, near death - I couldn't understand. At first I believed her, at first I assume she knew best, but over time, I realized, it was a matter of control for her - some odd sense of power. If you showed a particular interest in a dog, started to push for that dog she would pull it back, almost as if she were running interference between you and that dog.
I never understood it.
Now I read about what has happened in Kern County (since she left Burbank), and I know it wasn't just me.
Problems seem to follow Kimi, and I don't believe it's just "bad luck", I believe after my experiences in Burbank and reading the latest that Kimi is not only a poor decision maker, but has not established a solid support system of knowledgeable staff. She has her supporters, but no one who is knowledgeable in the areas any successful business person needs. She needs a solid foundation for the dogs to be supported on, she has not provided that. No matter how big ones heart is, if the structure around it is weak, it will fail. In the end, the dogs are the ones that lose, and that is a crime.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

have built a educated support system / board of directors that would allow "me" to concentrate on the dogs health and well being, rehabilitation and adoptions. The business side of the rescue should be handled by those who have that expertise.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

it taught me what a good rescue is and what it isn't. This rescue collected and ran in circles, fingers were pointed etc, at the end of the day, the dogs were still in their cages, lying in filth, turning in circles, fighting and dying - I felt hopeless

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

The staff was inept & seemed to worry more about Kimi's moods than the care the animals were given. I saw fleas, ticks, rats, bloody stools, it was horrible, if I pointed these things out Kimi would blame someone else and walk away, without the dog

Ways to make it better...

the dogs received more care, & were adopted out, Kimi would turn down good applicants for superficial reasons/whims. I saw Kimi ignore good applicants, or make appts & then cancel several times, or simply not show up to an applicants house, without a word

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Kimi herself. She has surrounded herself with "yes men", anyone who challenged her logic or authority was considered a troublemaker. She is not a wise businesswomen & has done nothing to ensure the future welfare or financial stability of the org

One thing I'd also say is that...

I tried against all odds to help the dogs. Because I eventually said too much I was "labeled". I'm not here to hurt the dogs, but if you support this org you are. I can say with firsthand knowledge that Kimi put herself first - not the dogs

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Kim is a wounderful person and if you do not know her personaly i suggest you keep your mouth shut because ive seen her and she puts her heart and soul into this she takes in dogs and cats that are not adoptable and she buys them food with her personal money maney nights she goes with out and never puts her self first so who ever has anything to say check your back rounds first because you dont know shit and im sorry for the language but this is rediculous you are all so quick to judge i would like to see you do half of what that woman does and put half the heart and soul that she does into it my bet is that you wouldnt do it so fund something better to do with your time other then put down other people shes a great persona nd you do not know her so back the fuck off

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Chihuahua Rescue run by Kimi Peck has saved thousands of dogs and placed over 3 thousand dogs in loving homes that otherwise would have been killed in city shelters. She has unfortunately been stalked by a group of misfits that "volunteered" temporarily at her rescue in Burbank, CA. I worked with these so-called volunteers who were more obsessed with Kimi Peck than the dogs she was trying to save. When Ms. Peck insisted that placements were to be done to her high standards this small group of misfits felt rejected and have since done everything they can to hurt the dogs and thereby hurt Me. Peck. Ms. Peck continues to make great strides in rescue "despite" these misguided misfits attempts to stop her. They have used the "hoarding" angle because they think people will believe that a person who saves a lot of dogs must have something wrong with them. Ms. Pecks rescues have been heavily scrutinized by the authorites and always found to have taken excellent care of her animals. She has courageously survived the attacks of the "stalkers" and will continue to thrive in the world of rescue because what she is doing is the right thing to do. There are some changes coming to the internet that will expose people who use the internet to harm other people and they will no longer be able to get away with libelous statements on scandalous websites. Please support Ms. Peck in her tireless and thankless efforts to save dogs from certain death.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have personally accompanied Ms. Peck in delivering hundreds of dogs to loving homes.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

never allow "troubled" volunteers access to the dogs. That is not always easy and Ms. Peck too often gave people the benefit of the doubt. Again, it is not easy to find quality volunteers.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

seeing dogs go from dejected and rejected to protected.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Most of the volunteers were selfless, giving people who had great compassion for animals in need. However, there were some that seemed to have mental and/or emotional problems which have become a thorn in the side of this great rescue.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

do more to stop needles animal suffering and euthanasia in government run shelters than any other rescue I have seen. Ms. Peck is a very talented screenwriter who could make a world changing impact with a movie exposing the "real" problems that shelter animals face.

Ways to make it better...

there were not the "mentally disturbed" volunteers to deal with. It is unfortunate that volunteers cannot be psychologically profiled prior to accepting them into the organization. It is hard to get quality volunteers.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

to overcome the adversity of libelous press, especially via the internet. Mostly, people are very supportive and I hope these people will not believe the lies on the internet and press and continue to contribute to a very worthy cause - saving dogs.

One thing I'd also say is that...

Ms. Peck will soon have a sanctuary that will be a model for all to follow. She has designed a "state-of-the-art" kennel which will give the dogs that no one wanted a home that every dog would want. Please give generously to her efforts.